Not a good time to rob McDonalds

Katie Mettler reports at the Washington Post,

When the two armed men entered the McDonald’s in Besancon, a city in eastern France near the Switzerland border, they found about 40 people dining on fried, fast food.

Here’s what they didn’t know: Among the customers were 11 off-duty members of the French paramilitary special forces, soldiers who specialize in hostage situations, reported the Telegraph.

As the men burst into the restaurant late Sunday night, firing a warning shot and allegedly ransacking the cash register, the special forces just waited. They wanted to avoid drawing their guns, officials told the Telegraph, to prevent any collateral damage.

With his loot allegedly in hand, about $2,270 according to AFP, one of the robbers rushed toward the door. But his getaway was quickly thwarted. Mid-escape, he tripped.

The special forces pounced.

When his partner attempted the same maneuver, the military officers intervened again, reported AFP, and demanded the second alleged robber drop his weapon. He refused, according to the newspaper, and the officers shot him in the stomach.

Read more here.